Remote sensing satellites for earth observation are normally located in

Correct option is B

Introduction
· Remote sensing is the science of acquiring information about the Earth's surface without being in direct physical contact with it, primarily through the use of satellite or aircraft-based sensors.
· Satellite orbits are specifically designed based on the mission objective, such as telecommunications, weather monitoring, or high-resolution earth imaging.
· The choice of orbit determines how often a satellite revisits a particular location and the lighting conditions under which it captures data.

Information Booster
· Sun-synchronous orbit is the correct answer because it allows the satellite to pass over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local solar time.
· This is a special type of Near-Polar orbit where the satellite's orbital plane rotates (precesses) at the same rate the Earth revolves around the Sun.
· For earth observation, this consistency in "sun angle" is crucial as it ensures that images taken over different days have similar illumination and shadow patterns, making it easier to detect environmental changes.
· Most of these satellites, such as the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series and Landsat, operate at altitudes between 600 km and 800 km.
· This orbit provides global coverage by allowing the satellite to scan the entire Earth as the planet rotates beneath its north-south flight path.

Additional Knowledge
· Elliptical orbit is characterized by a non-circular path with varying altitudes; while used for specific scientific missions or communication in high-latitude regions (like Molniya orbits), it is not the standard for routine, global earth observation.
· Geo-synchronous orbit (and specifically Geostationary orbit) is located at an altitude of approximately 35,786 km; satellites here stay fixed over one spot on the equator, making them excellent for telecommunications and continuous weather monitoring but poor for high-resolution global mapping.
· Equatorial orbit follows the line of the Earth’s equator; satellites in this orbit provide frequent coverage of the tropics but are unable to observe the polar or temperate regions, limiting their utility for comprehensive earth observation.
· The "revisit time" or temporal resolution of a remote sensing satellite is a direct result of its altitude and orbital inclination within the Sun-synchronous framework.